Mechanical cleaning system

ABSTRACT

A mechanical cleaning system for transparent material has a separate element on each side of the transparent material and adjacent one another. At least one of the elements is a magnet and the other element is a metal. At least one of the elements has a cleaning material between its respective element and the transparent material. Movement of one of the elements moves the other element and cleans a surface of the transparent material. In the preferred embodiment where cleaning material is on both of the elements, both of the opposed surfaces of the transparent material are simultaneously cleaned by urging one of the elements across the transparent material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The subject invention relates to a mechanical cleaning system for transparent material. More particularly, the subject invention relates to a mechanical cleaning system for cleaning the inside of a face shield by moving a magnet across the shield.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It is known in the art that the humidity in the air will condensate and fog a transparent material when temperatures of the transparent material is sufficiently different from the contacting air. This event of nature causes considerable difficulties when such physical conditions come m contact with a transparent material that an operator is trying to see through. In such cases, the transparent material on which surface the condensation is collecting must be cleaned. In some uses of transparent material, both surfaces must be repeatedly cleaned in order to see through the transparent material.

[0003] One of the most annoying fogging situations that adversely affects operators is in fire fighting equipment having filtered breathing apparatus. In these helmets, the mask fits tightly to the operators face and it is difficult and often dangerous to take off the mask and clean the inside thereof.

[0004] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the heretofore problems, as set forth above.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the invention, a mechanical cleaning system is provided for cleaning transparent material. The system has a following element, a controlling element, and a cleaning material. The elements each have a first side. The cleaning material is connected to the first side of one of the elements. One of the elements is a magnet and the other element is formed of metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of the apparatus of this invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the first ends of the elements showing cleaning material on one of the elements; and

[0008]FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the first ends of the elements showing cleaning materials of different types on the elements.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1 the mechanical cleaning system 2 of this invention is provided for simultaneously cleaning opposed surfaces of a transparent material 4, such as a face or eye shield. The system has a following element 6 and a controlling element 8. The following element 6 has first and second sides 10, 12 and a thickness 14. The controlling element has first and second sides 16, 18, a thickness 20 greater than the thickness 14 of the following element 6 and a handle 22 formed on said second side 18. At least one of the elements 6 or 8 is a magnet and the other element is a metal of a type that is attracted to the magnet.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 2, A cleaning material 24 is connected to the first side 10 or 16 of at least one element 6 or 8. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning material 24 is connected to both of the elements 6, 8 and FIG. 4, shows a system wherein the cleaning materials 24, 24′ are of different compositions.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning material 24 of both of the elements 6, 8 is Nomex (Trademark) fire resistant cloth. Different materials that may be used is a chemical resistant material such as high temperature resistant rubber or organic plastic, or an absorbing material, such as cotton, for example.

[0012] It should be understood that the only limitation on the cleaning material used in this invention is that the cleaning material should remove the fogging material expected to be encountered. For this reason, one skilled in the art will realize that the material used on a transparent face shield of a welder for fire fighter, which may include ash and water one the outside surface and only water on the inside surface, which may be different than the face shield of a motorcycle helmet which may have mud and water on the outside surface and only water on the inside surface. Once the use of the system is determined, it is an effort of no inventive nature to select the preferred cleaning material for the system.

[0013] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a handle 22 is connected to the second side of the controlling element and is of knob construction adapted for gripping by the hand of a person. It is also preferred that the thickness 14 of the following element 6 be less than about ½ inch. Greater than about ½ inch is undesirable because the following element may then undesirably strike the users face during cleaning functions. It is also preferred that the area of the first sides 10, 16 of the magnets 6, 8 be less than about 1¼ square inches. Greater than about 1¼ square inches and the system will often interfere with the vision of the user.

[0014] In order that the elements 6, 8 remain adjacent each other on opposed sides of a transparent material under sometimes severe impact and during use, it is preferred that the attractive power force of the magnet or magnets 6, 8 urge the elements toward one another with a force greater than about 12 pounds.

[0015] It should be understood that the cleaning system 2 of this invention can be used for cleaning any transparent material without departing from this invention and the face and eye shields are listed only for exemplary purposes.

Industrial Applicability

[0016] The mechanical cleaning system of this invention are adapted for use in simultaneously cleaning opposing surfaces of a transparent material. In the use of the system 2, for simultaneously cleaning condensation and contamination from the inside and outside of the transparent face shield of a fire fighting helmet having breathing apparatus, one of the elements 6 or 8 is position on the inside of the transparent material there being held by the magnetic force of the adjacent other element which is positioned on the opposite side of the transparent material. The cleaning material is connected on the first side of one of the elements in contact with the transparent material to be cleaned.

[0017] The system will be maintained in a convenient location by their magnetic attraction. When the operator desires to clean the transparent material 4, he will grasp the handle 22 of the controlling element 8 and move it across the area desired to be cleaned, thereby responsively moving the cleaning material of the following element 6 in contact with the inside of the transparent material 4. Where cleaning material is provided on both controlling and following elements, both surfaces of the transparent are simultaneously cleaned.

[0018] Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanical cleaning system for transparent material, comprising: a following element having a first side; a controlling element having a first side; and a cleaning material connected to the first side of one of the elements, one of said elements being a magnet and the other of said elements being a metal of a type attracted to a magnet.
 2. A system, as set forth in claim 1, including a cleaning material connected to the first side of the other the other element.
 3. A system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the cleaning material on the following element is of generally the same type as the cleaning material on the controlling element.
 4. A system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the cleaning material on the following element is of a different construction than the cleaning material on the controlling element.
 5. A system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the cleaning material of both of the elements of the system is Nomex (Trademark) fire resistant cloth.
 6. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cleaning material of said one element of the system is Nomex (Trademark) fire resistant cloth.
 7. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is formed of a chemical resistant material.
 8. A system, as set forth in claim 1, including a handle connected to the controlling element and being of a knob construction adapted for gripping by the hand of a person.
 9. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the thickness of the following element is less than about ½ inch.
 10. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the area of the first side of the elements is less than about 1¼ square inches.
 11. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attractive power force of the magnet urge the elements toward one other with a force greater than about 12 pounds.
 12. A system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein both of the elements are magnets. 